Knockdown scaffold



July 28, 1959 P. DELP KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30,1954 fire P955 ra/v I? DELP,

IN V EN TOR.

BY US'MIMG July 28, 1959 P. P. DELP KNOCKDOWN SCAF'FOLD 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Aug. 50, 1954 PQESra/V 1. DELP,

IN V EN TOR.

irra/aws July 28, 1959 P. P. DELP 2,897,013

7 KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD I Filed Aug. 50, 1954 s SheetsSheet s Par-$710 J?051.3 INVENTOR.

Ji GAM "W United States Patent G KNOCKDOWN SCAFFOLD Preston 1. Delp, ElCajon, Calif. Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,769

4 Claims. (Cl. 3042) The present invention relates generally to thefield of supporting devices, and more particularly to a scaffold thatmay be easily erected within a minimum of time to the desired height ina selected location, and the method of assembling same.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to provide ascaffold that may be readily assembled on a job site from a plurality ofrelatively light, easily handled component parts, which scaffoldassembly after completion of the work for which it was erected, may betaken apart, and the component parts thereof compactly stacked forconvenient return to a central storage area therefor until needed again.

A primary object of the invention is to supply a number of componentparts particularly well adapted to cooperatively and removably engageone another, which parts when so engaged in accordance with apredetermined pattern provide a stable scaffold or supporting frameworkof the required length and height, and one that is unlimited as to usein construction work of all types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting scaffoldingthat may be easily assembled on the job from a plurality of componentswhich are fabricated from standard commercially available materials, andmay be easily arranged in the desired configuration to provide therequired support without the necessity of employing skilled constructionlabor for its erection or without the necessity of leveling the areasurrounding the job site.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a scaffold which isunusually stable after removable connection of the component partsthereof in accordance with detailed instructions for connecting same.

A further object of the invention is to supply a scaffold that may beerected on rough, uneven terrain, in a variety of arrangements, by meansof which work platforms may be supported thereon at convenientelevations, which scaffolding is adapted to support work platforms onthe exterior structure thereof whereby workmen may operate with amaximum of freedom without interference from the structural membersforming the scaffold.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scalfold which isnot easily overturned after erection, and one in which the componentparts are interlocked in the desired relationship by novel clampingmeans.

A still further object of'the invention is to provide a scaffold inwhich various component parts forming same are provided with novelclamps that may be readily placed in gripping position without the useof hand tools, with the clamps being maintained in securely lockedgripping position by means of ordinary nails such as employed on theaverage construction job.

Yet another object of the invention is to supply scaffolding on whichplatform-supporting brackets are mounted by a simple downward movement,base plates are attached by a simple upward movement, and with whichreinforcing members are provided that may be removably connected to .theuprights thereof at any desired elevation.

I 2,897,013 Patented July 28, 1959 These and other objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawingsillustrating that form in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of ascalfold illustrating part of a vertically disposed frame from whichhorizontally disposed planks or boarding may be supported either withinor outside the confines thereof showing the reinforcing members, as Wellas base members that maintain the frame in a stable position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the lowerportion of a base member that may be removably affixed to the frame asshown in Figure 1, taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the endportions of two vertically disposed side pieces forming a part of theframe shown in Figure l, and illustrating the manner in which a rigidrod affixed to one frame section serves to removably lock the lowerportion of one frame section to the upper portion of another framesection situated therebelow;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clamp pivotally supported on one endof an elongate rigid reinforcing member, showing the manner in which thelatch bar formed on the clamp is removably locked in a clampengagingposition by use of a conventional nail;

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device shown inFigure 4, taken on line 55 thereof;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of theportion of the clamp that removably engages the latch bar, showing themanner in which the bar is guided into a vertical slot formed therein;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the clamp and reinforcing member pivotallymounted thereon as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a clamp removably mounted on avertical support, showing the manner in which a reinforcing member canbe pivotally mounted on the clamp to move through an angle of substantially and taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a combined plan and horizontal cross-sectional View of afirst clamp mounted in gripping position on an upright, with said firstclamp pivotally supporting a second clamp that grips a reinforcingmember which may be positioned inany desired angle as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the upper end portion of the footingshown in Figure 1, illustrating the manner by which it may be removablylocked to a vertical flattened portion of a horizontalcross bar;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of areinforcing member which forms a part of a plank-supporting bracket thatmay be removably mounted as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the component parts comprising theinvention, with the components so arranged as to illustrate theflexibility ofassociation thereof by which a frame-work may be assembledof the desired length and height and support work platforms at selectedelevations thereon.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 12 of the drawings for the generalarrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a number .ofupright frames F, which for clarity of description are identified hereinby the notations F1, F-Z, and F-3.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 12 of the drawings for the generalarrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a number ofupright frames F, for clarity herein identified by the notations 'F-1,F-2 and F-3. The frames are disposed in parallel, aligned spacedrelationship, and serve to support horizontally disposed platforms P onthe upper portions thereof, as Well as outwardly Frames F are maintainedidthe desired spaced relationship by rigid side members S that extendtherebetween (Figure 12), together with angulafly disposed reinforcingmembers R.- "the detailed structure of frame F-2 which is shown inFigure 1 is described herein as it is typical of the construction offrames F, irrespective of 1 the height to which the scaffolding isextended.

The frame F-2 aswell as the frames F-l and F3, are each formed from anumber or name segme ts generally denoted by the letter B, butspecifieally in Figure l are identified by designations E-I and E.-2.Segment E-1 comprises two laterally spaced tubular uprights 10' and 12that are open at the top and bottom, and have annular restrictions 10aand 12a formed in the upper portions thereof, as shown in Figure 3.These uprights 10' and 12 are held in laterally spaced parallelrelationship by a number of vertically spaced horizontal cross pieces14. Each cross piece 14 has two flattened end portions 14a, 14b, theouter ends of which are welded or otherwise affixed to uprights 10 and12.

Frame segment 13-2 is identical to 13-1. Each of the segments ofuprights 10 and 12 have connecting rods 10b and 12b respectively, thatproject upwardly from the upper ends thereof, which rods are welded orotherwise connected to the uprights. In Figures 1 and 3 it will be seenthat the rods 1% and 12b of segment E-l are adapted to beslidablyins'erted within the lower portions of the uprights of segmentE-2 to removably join the segments with one another. In order thatworkmen may operate on the job free and clear of interfering structuralelements of the scaffolding such as uprights 10 and 12 and yet besufliciently close to the wall or structure being Worked, a platform Pis provided, which when desired, may be employed as an extension ofplatform P within the confines of frames F.

Each bracket B includes a horizontally disposable supporting member 20on the outer end of which a vertical rigid member 22 projects upwardly.An angularly disposed reinforcing member 24 is provided that dependsdownwardly from support 20. Clamps 26 and 28, project from the ends ofmember 20 and reinforcing member 24 respectively. The detailed structureof clamp 28 is best shown in Figure 11, wherein it will be'sieen tocomprise a square U-shaped member having two legs 30 and 32 that arejoined by a web 34. The interior spacing of legs 30 and 32 as well asthe depth thereof is such as to permit them to slidably engage theexterior surface of tubular members 10 or 12. Leg 30 has a vertical slot36 formed therein which is adapted to slide over the flattened endportion 14a or 14b of one of the cross pieces 14.

Clamp 26 is similar in construction to clamp 28, with the exception thatit slidably engages tubular member 10 or 12 from the side opposite tothat engaged by clamp 28. In addition, clamp 26 is so aifixed to support20 that extends outwardly from the exterior of one of the clamp legs andnormal relative thereto. Portions of clamp 28 corresponding to those ofclamp 26 are identified by the same numerals to which a prime has beenadded.

Base member T, as may best be seen in Figure 1, has a base plate 40 ofangular cross section. The base T also includes one leg 42 adapted torest horizontally on the ground or other supporting surface and a secondleg 44 that extends upwardly from leg 42 in substantially a verticalplane. A pin 46 projects upwardly from base plate 40, which pin isadapted to be slidably inserted within the confines of the lower endportion of tubular member 12. A rigid member 48lextends upwardly andinwardly from the outer end of base plate 40 and termihates on its upperend in a clamp 50, the detailed structure of which is clearly shown inFigure 10. Clamp 50 is of U-shaped configuration, and is defined by twolaterally separated parallel legs 52 and 52 that are joined at one endthereof by a web 56. A slot 58 extends downwardly from the upper edge ofleg 54, which slot concurrently engages one of the flattened endportions 14a or 14b of a cross piece when pin 46 is inserted in thelower end portion of tubular member 12. Thus, the brackets B and thebase member T may be easily mounted on the frame F-2 without thenecessity of hand tools, and with a minimum of time and inconvenience.

The two reinforcing members R and R shown in Figure l are removablyattached to tubular members 12 by a U-shaped clamp 60 mounted on the endthereof adjacent frame F-2. Clamp 60 has two parallel, laterally spacedstraight sides 62 and 64 which are connected by a web 66. A short flange68 extends away from the edge portion of side 64 as may be seen inFigure 4. It will also be noted in this figure that reinforcing member Ris formed with a flattened extremity 71. A latch bar 70 is provided thathas a transverse bore formed in one end portion 70a thereof,- and thisend portion is positioned on the face 68a of flange 68. A bolt 74 isinserted into the transverse bore in bar portion 70a, as well as throughbores formed in flange 68 and the fiattened extremity 71 of reinforcingmember R, and is secured therein by a nut 74a. Latch bar 70 andreinforcing member R are adapted to pivotrelative to flange 68. A slotcuts downwardly from the upper edge of side wall 62 and has an inneredge 82 that is disposed outwardly a slight distance from the plane inwhich the vertical surface 68a of flange 68 is situated. The clamp 60 isof such internal dimension that it snugly engages tubular member 10' or12 when placed thereon (Figure 4), with the latch bar 70 likewise snuglyengaging the tubular member as the bar is moved downwardly into slot 80.Bar 70 has a notch 84 formed in the lower edge portion thereof, whichslidably engages that portion of side wall 62 situated below slot 80.When notch 84 so engages this lower portion of wall 62, the wall isdrawn inwardly causing the U'-s'haped clamp 60 to grip the exterior oftubular member 10 or 12 between the interior faces of walls 62 and 64thereof with suiiicient force that movement of the clamp assembly 60 onthe tubular member is prevented.

When notch 84 in the latch bar 70 overl'appingly engages that portion ofwall 62 situated below slot 80, the walls 62 and 64 may be deformedinwardly to securely grip tubular member 10 or 12 when the outermostportion 70b of the latch bar is struck with a hammer or other forcefulmeans. It will be noted in Figure 6 that the upper portion of slot 80has an inwardly and downwardly tapered inner side wall portion 802;which first engages the latch bar 70 to guide the bar into the slot withan inwardly directed movement. Such inward movement causes the sidewalls 62 and 64 to deform inwardly to grip the exterior surface oftubular member 10 or 12. A transverse bore 86 is formed in latch bar 70,the inner wall of which bore is substantially in the same vertical planedefining the face 62a of side wall 62, as may be seen in Figure 4.

When it is desired to lock the latch bar in the position shown in Figure4, a common nail 90 is inserted through bore 86, and upon application ofa sharp hammer blow on the nail head 92, whereby the nail is driven intothe bore to a position where the nail head acts as a tight wedge againstthe exterior face 62a of the side wall.

The latch bar 70when so engaged by nail 90 cannot move upwardly as thecenter of. rotation of the bar about the axis of bolt 72. Therefore,when the bar is in the substantially horizontal position (Figure 4), itis impossible to displace ormove it as long as the nail is positioned inbore 86 due to the wedging action exerted against the exterior surfaceof the side wall by the nail head. Thus, a common nail admirably servesto securely maintain the latch bar 70 in closed position. A clamp 60',identical to clamp 60 above described, is affixed to the lower end ofthe reinforcing member R, and serves to removably affix same to thetubular member 12.

In Figure 1 it will be seen that the two reinforcing members R and Rpass one another and sustain an angle therebetween which varies,depending upon the vertical position occupied by clamps 60 and 60' onthe tubular members or 12'. To permit such angular adjustment, clamps 60and 60 are pivotally united by a bolt, pin or rivet 96 as shown inFigure 9, which rivet projects through bores formed in webs 66 and 66 inthe back-to-back position shown in Figure 9. A single reinforcing memberR (Figure 12) may be so disposed as to extend between the frames F4 andF-2 should such a construction be desirable. In order that the framesegment E-2 will not be inadvertently separated from segment E-l (Figure1), a locking member 100 is provided that includes a rigid elongatemember 102 in the end portions of which bores (not shown) are formedthat are engaged by bolts or pins 72 to pivotally support clamps 60 andremovably engage cross pieces 14.

The scaffold herein described is extremely simple to use. After thelength of scaffolding required for a particular job has been estimatedor measured, as well as the height to which it must be extended, asufficient number of frames F are assembled from segments E, and thenlongitudinally aligned in spaced relationship and joined by thehorizontal rigid supporting members S, together with reinforcing membersR and R either in combination or singly, depending upon the job and jobsite.

In the event the scaffold assembly is to be used for plastering orpainting it can be so erected for the convenience of the workmen wherebythey can stand on the platform P which extends outwardly from frames Fand thus avoid any interference offered by the upwardly extendingtubular members 10 and 12. For assurance that the scatfolding willremain in a stable upright position when workmen are supported onplatform P thereby, a number of bases T are provided which outwardlyextend from frames F. It will be apparent from the manner in which thepairs of frames F are connected that the base plates 40 do not need tobe positioned on level terrain, but that each base plate may be droppeddown to the supporting surface, irrespective of the elevation thereof.The supporting members S are then continued across to join the nextadjoining frame F, with the supports being horizontally maintained inorder that platforms P may be disposed thereon.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the ease withwhich the brackets utilized therewith for supporting platforms P may 'bechanged to provide an extension of the assembly to the desiredelevation. The only limitation on the positioning of platform P is thatin any elevational change, the change must be made in verticalincrements which are determined by the vertical spacing between thecross pieces 14, which cross pieces the clamps must engage in order tomaintain the brackets in a fixed vertical position.

Although the scaffolding herein described is fully 5 2,635,717

.6 capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages a-boveoutlined, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of thepresently preferred embodiments theerof, and there is no intention tolimit same to the details of construction hereinbefore described andshown other than defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knock-down scaffolding comprising: multiple platform supportingelements adapted to be superimposed in a releasable connectedrelationship, said elements including vertical tubes and horizontallydisposed braces flattened vertically adjacent their connecting ends;lateral extension platform supports including horizontal and diagonalbraces having U-shaped tube engaging members slotted for releasableattachment with the flattened ends of said horizontal braces; groundengaging lateral supports having horizontal braces removably connectedto said tubes and diagonal braces having U-shaped tube engaging membersslotted for releasable attachment with the flattened ends of saidhorizontal braces; and means for supporting said platforms in alignedposition including horizontal and diagonal bars having manuallyreleasable clamping connections with the vertical tubes of said platformsupporting elements.

2. A knock-down scaffolding comprising: multiple platform supportingelements adapted to be vertically superimposed in a detachablerelationship, said elements including vertical tubes and horizontalbraces therebetween flattened vertically adjacent their tube attachmentends; lateral extension platform supports including horizontal anddiagonal braces having oppositely disposed U-shaped tube engagingmembers vertically slotted for releasable attachment with said flattenedends of said horizontal braces; and diagonal connecting means betweenthe vertical tubes of said spaced platform supporting elements, saidconnecting means including tube engaging manual quick release clampingmembers.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which the quick release clampingmembers are pivotally mounted on said diagonal connecting means.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which the pivotally mounted quickrelease clamping members include tube engaging portions and manualactuated latches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.176,976 Orook Feb. 28, 1956 296,037 Moll et al. Apr. 1, 1884 656,298OBrien Aug. 21, 1900 1,846,011 Adams Feb. 23, 1932 1,859,894 SchillerMay 24, 1932 1,879,244 Hoffman Sept. 27, 1932 2,064,232 Tepper Dec. 15,1936 2,125,830 Uecker et a1. Aug. 2, 1938 2,178,667 Littlefield Nov. 7,1939 2,191,051 Uecker et a1 Feb. 20, 1940 2,2A9,658 Kemner July 15, 19412,311,988 Lavin Feb. 23, 1941 2,359,583 Reiner Oct. 3, 1944 2,392,932MacBeth Jan. 15, 1946 2,481,885 Simpson Sept. 13, 1949 2,485,685Armstrong Oct. 25, 1949 2,613,114 Hagan Oct. 7, 1952 Albrecht et a1.Apr. 21, 1953

